Funeral Services - Skylawn Memorial Park

What You Need to Know About Writing a Eulogy

Last updated 21 hours ago

Writing and delivering a funeral eulogy for a loved one in the wake of his or her passing is not easy. Whether you were asked to hold this honor because of your relationship with the deceased or because of your special place in the family of the deceased, the following advice can help you prepare and deliver a eulogy that you feel is worthy of your loved one’s memory.

It Takes Time Writing a eulogy can rarely be done in one short sitting. It helps to have a plan, to brainstorm with others, and to jot down your own memories of the deceased. If you feel stuck during the process, step away from your notepad or computer and do something else for a while. Most people find that they have to prepare a few drafts before they have one that they feel satisfied with.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help Ask friends and family members for help, and not only during the brainstorming phase. Have a friend or family member take a look at your first draft and welcome any suggestions he or she may have for improving the eulogy. You may also want to confirm any biographical information you include with someone in the family to ensure you’re being accurate in your description.

A Theme Can Tie It All Together A eulogy should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Many people find that a theme provides them with the guidance they need to adhere to this structure. Peruse the notes you jot down when reflecting on the loved one’s life and talking to others in search of a fitting theme.

Delivery is Different than Practice It is important to practice the obituary you have prepared, as it should help make delivery easier. Remember, however, that delivering a praise-filled overview of a loved one’s legacy is difficult. You may feel good about the message you have prepared and confident that you have memorized it, but you should bring a copy of the eulogy to the service. It will come in handy should you have a memory lapse or lose your composure and need to ask a family member or friend to deliver it in your stead.

Depending on the relationship you had with the individual for whom you are preparing a eulogy, writing a eulogy may be one of many preparations you have to make for your loved one’s funeral. If you are in need of burial, cremation, or other funeral services in the San Mateo area, call Skylawn Memorial Park at (650) 288-0559.

Working with Skylawn has been a Pleasure

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4/18/13 on Yelp

"Working with Skylawn has been a pleasure. The staff, John, Deborah- the receptionist, and the manager Nickol, were very hospitable. They made sure I was well tended to! Nickol Even gave me snacks because she knew I had a drive ahead of me...." Read the rest of the review on Yelp.com.

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"Matthew went out of his way to assist us and turn what could have been an extended process a very smooth and easy one"

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5/7/13 on Written Letters

Good Afternoon Mr. Lim,

I wanted to take a moment to let you know what a great customer service experience I had in working with Matthew Wong on your team. My brothers and I needed answers on issue with Skylawn involving assigning a plot to another individual. Matthew went out of his... More

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A Basic Guide to Sympathy Flowers

Last updated 7 days ago

bunch of flowers, red roses and white lys

Losing a loved one is a difficult experience; caring for a partner or friend who is coping with the death of someone he or she cherished can also be very difficult. To pay your respects to the deceased and demonstrate to the deceased’s family members that you are thinking about them, you should consider bringing flowers to the funeral or memorial service.

Honor the Wishes of the Family Before you pay a visit to your local florist, examine the death announcement and consider anything else you know about the funeral service to ensure that the family of the deceased has not kindly requested that sympathy flowers not be given to them. Some families prefer that donations be made to a specific charity instead of flowers to honor the life of the deceased, so if this is the case, you should honor their wishes.

Send Before the Funeral Although giving flowers to a family in mourning is always a nice gesture, it is best if your gift of flowers arrives before the funeral. This way the flower arrangement can be displayed for the family and visitors upon arrival. If you miss the opportunity to send flowers before the funeral begins, then it is perfectly acceptable to send them to the home of the bereaved.

Deciding on an Arrangement From wreaths to pillows to basket-housed bouquets, there are several types of floral arrangements that are appropriate to give as sympathy flowers at a funeral. The funeral home’s florist should be able to help you with this step, but considerations that may influence your decision include your budget and the age and personality of the deceased.

Are you attending a funeral service for someone who will be laid to rest at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo? For a selection of thoughtful floral arrangements that can be meticulously arranged for you and delivered to you the same day by hand, explore Skylawn Memorial Park’s online inventory. For more information, call (650) 288-0559 to speak with a member of our compassionate staff.